APRIL 11, 2002

Reitzle to reduce his empire

WOLFGANG REITZLE, the boss of the Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group - and the man who is ultimately responsible for the Jaguar Racing F1 program - is expected to ask the Ford board of directors to take the Lincoln-Mercury company off his hands. The American luxury brand does not really fit into Reitzle's group and he is suggesting that it be returned to the control of Detroit, leaving the Premier Automotive Group with only European marques: Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Aston Martin, and remains in charge of Ford's worldwide marketing.